play store alpha test download link not working

android google-play

91,468

Solution 1

For me, it resulted to be a cache problem so deleting the cache in Setting > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage > Clean Cache and deleting chrome's cache, did the trick.

Solution 2

If your app is published in alpha or beta version :

it won't be shown in search results,
use the link that google play sent you in the group of testers in order to open it in Google Play application. (see edit below)
You can also open this URL : https://play.google.com/apps/testing/APP_PACKAGE with a browser if the email configured in your phone is a member of the google testers group.
i don't think permissions in manifest can hide an app of the store !

EDIT After you have uploaded your APK file and published it to Alpha or Beta version, you will see a link "manage testers group" or something like that. Click on that link ... you will be asked to add a google group of testers, below the popup you will see a message like this : "share this link with you testers group". Copy that link and send it to the group by mail.

Sorry I am writing with SO android app, I can't paste screenshots therefore ... may be tomorow ;-)

Hope it's ok.

Solution 3

I don't have any idea what changed but now the download link is working

You issue was just the publish delay -- it takes some time for Google Play servers to pick up your submission (for any publishing operation, even with alpha builds), usually under 24 hours.

Solution 4

Try opening the link on both your test device and in a desktop browser.

I was able to sign up as a tester from the device, but not install the app (said not found), but going to the desktop browser was able to use google pay to install it remotely to the device.

Make sure its the url in the form https://play.google.com/apps/testing/{your.namespace}

Solution 5

How authorized testers turn on internal app sharing

Before authorized testers can download apps using internal app sharing, they need to turn on internal app sharing on their Google Play Store app.

Open the Google Play Store app Google Play.

Tap Menu Menu > Settings.

In the “About” section, tap the Play Store version 7 times.

After the Internal app sharing setting appears, tap the switch to turn on internal app sharing. Tap Turn on.

View more solutions

91,468

Author by

supernova

Updated on July 05, 2022

Comments

supernova about 2 years
I think I followed all steps which I have found so far but the download link for my alpha test isn't working.

I uploaded the app 3 days ago, created a google group and added the group to the list of alpha testers.

I invited a few members and the app status shows published, after clicking on the link I can signup as alpha tester, but when I click on "Download from the Play Store" the error message "We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server" comes.

Did I miss an additional step? Do I have to grant some special rights to the group members somehow?

--- update can this be caused by the permissions of the app? under the apk info in the developer console I can see:
```
functions:
android.hardware.LOCATION
android.hardware.location.GPS
android.hardware.location.NETWORK
android.hardware.TOUCHSCREEN

permissions:
android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
android.permission.INTERNET
```
-----UPDATE2

Well I don't have any idea what changed but now the download link is working for my alpha testers.
bpscott almost 10 years

"Currently, testers must have only one account on their device. Devices with more than one account will receive the production version of your app. (Please note this requirement is temporary. Stay tuned for updates)." That is pretty debilitating. Anyone know the timeline on when that will be fixed?
theLastNightTrain over 8 years

This helped because it showed the option "Become a Tester", but the app URL still fails for new testers. The URL works for accounts listed in the Developer console as testers, but not for those in the google plus community set as the alpha testers. It has been 3 days.
Stephenraj about 8 years

yes.. I'm done.. I'm one of the member in testers group. My app is launched as beta version about a month ago. I checked that link which i shared to a group of testers, it redirects to google play. And it shows This item is not avaiable in your country. Please suggest me any idea ?
Dan Leveille about 8 years

This solved my issue. I waited 24 hours for an Alpha version to become available, but I could only see the Beta version. Once I cleared the cache, the Alpha immediately became available.
olivier almost 8 years

Thank you, that solved my issue. I changed the account for iAP testing. Now I'm able to download the beta app.
Elliott Beach almost 7 years

Passing a referrer argument https://play.google.com/apps/testing/{your.namespace}&referr‌er=xyz caused the link to not work for me.
RaphArbuz over 6 years

Thank you bpscott! That was it!
Alyoshak about 6 years

For me it was Settings > Apps > Application Manager > Google Play services > Storage > Clear Cache. I have a Galaxy S7
Pham Lai about 5 years

This work for me, I tried alot but only do that, after 2 minutes it appear
Afshar almost 5 years

Yes, this was due to 'stale' cache in my case as well. Just use 'Incognito' mode to check if it is a cache issue!
Danielo515 almost 4 years

Wow, I think it is worth specify that such checkbox can not be checked until the app is published, that's why I thought it was useless. This console is everything but intuitive
Mr. N almost 4 years

please add suggestings as a comment, not an answer.
TSG over 3 years

Any update (for 2020) on this issue? Is it still up to 24 hour delay? (for internal/open/closed tsting)
Eder Cardoso over 2 years

How do I send an invite to my teste users? I've already added them to the email list of tester on play console, but none of them have received any e-mail from google inviting them to participate on any test program.